A military aid package to boost air and sea defenses is being sent to Ukraine

The UK and its allies transfer a military aid package worth over EUR217 million to Ukraine. British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said the package aims to strengthen air and sea defense. According to him, the new package will help protect Ukraine's infrastructure.

The aid package includes radars, decoys, and electronic warfare systems worth GBP70 million (EUR81 million). Meanwhile, GBP80 million (more than EUR110 million) for small boats, reconnaissance drones, and uncrewed surface vessels is being provided.

Grant Shapps. Photo credits: thesun.co.uk

"The International Fund for Ukraine provides vital support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine to meet their urgent combat capability needs.

It includes more air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure, as well as maritime capabilities to bolster naval forces," Shapps said. The fund for Ukraine has received GBP900 million so far. The United Kingdom is the largest donor, allocating GBP500 million.

The alliance also includes Denmark, Estonia, Finland, and Germany. Previously, Shapps shared that Ukraine would receive 100 missiles for air defense from the UK in May. It is possible that unmanned surface vessels will be built according to Ukrainian designs for naval drones.

The Ukrainian Defense Forces are currently using naval drones for a wide range of tasks, from direct attacks on Russian ships to air strikes.

Ukrainian naval drone

As previously reported, the UK plans to provide Ukraine with three billion pounds of annual military aid.

The announced annual support for Ukraine from the UK is the largest since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion and amounts to about £3.74 billion.